Adrien Van Beveren Wins Dakar 2026 Stage 10, First French Bike Victory

Moto Rally, Sportrik Media - Adrien Van Beveren delivered a commanding performance to win Stage 10 of the Dakar Rally 2026 in the RallyGP bike category, securing a landmark result for Monster Energy Honda HRC and the first motorcycle stage victory for a French rider at this year’s event.

Van Beveren set the benchmark with a time of 4 hours 15 minutes 43 seconds, controlling the stage through disciplined navigation and sustained pace in demanding desert conditions. He finished 4 minutes 04 seconds clear of Luciano Benavides from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, while Skyler Howes completed the podium a further 47 seconds back. Ricky Brabec added to Honda’s strong collective showing by finishing fourth, underlining the manufacturer’s depth as the rally enters its decisive phase.

The Stage 10 victory marks Van Beveren’s seventh career Dakar stage win, a milestone achieved through a measured approach that balanced aggression with precision. On a route that punished navigational errors and rewarded rhythm in soft sand, the Frenchman avoided costly mistakes and maintained consistent speed across the full distance, converting strategic execution into a clear time advantage.

From a championship perspective, the result reshapes the RallyGP standings. Van Beveren now moves into the provisional overall lead after Stage 10, ahead of Benavides and Brabec. However, the general classification remains subject to confirmation pending any official time penalties or compensations, a common factor on long and complex stages that can still influence the final order.

For Honda, the outcome reinforces the effectiveness of a multi-rider strategy at Dakar 2026. With several riders consistently placing at the front, the team gains tactical flexibility—both to attack outright results and to manage risk across the remaining stages. KTM, by contrast, faces renewed pressure to respond strategically as the margins at the top continue to tighten.

As Dakar 2026 approaches its closing stages, Van Beveren’s Stage 10 win carries significance beyond the statistics. It alters the balance of power in RallyGP and positions him as a central reference in the title fight, where reliability, navigation, and decision-making will outweigh outright speed. Full Dakar Rally 2026 coverage is available at https://sportrik.com/en.